Cone beam CT (CBCT) is a 3D scan of your teeth, jaws, nerves and sinuses. It takes seconds in our office, and it shows your surgeon what a flat X-ray can’t, before any treatment begins.
Quick and comfortableYou stand or sit still while the scanner turns around your head.
Why 3D
A flat X-ray can hide what matters
A regular X-ray squeezes everything into one flat picture, so a wisdom tooth root and the nerve beside it can look as if they overlap. A CBCT scan lets your surgeon look at thin slices from any angle and see where the nerve, sinus and bone really are.
Flat X-ray (2D)
The root and the nerve appear on top of each other.
CBCT cross-section (3D)
Shows the nerve beside the root, and how much space lies between them.
Simplified illustration. The orange line is the nerve that gives feeling to the lower lip and chin.
What a scan shows
Details your surgeon plans around
Bone height and width
How much bone is available for an implant, and whether a graft is needed.
Nerve pathways
The exact course of the nerve in the lower jaw.
Sinus anatomy
The sinus floor above the upper back teeth.
Tooth and root position
Where impacted teeth sit, and how their roots are shaped.
Cysts and infections
Their size and extent, including ones a flat X-ray can miss.
The jaw joint
Bone changes in the joint, when there are jaw joint (TMJ) symptoms.
When we use it
When your surgeon may recommend a scan
We recommend a CBCT scan only when the 3D information will help plan your treatment.
CBCT uses a lower radiation dose than a conventional medical CT scan of the head. We recommend one only when the 3D information will help plan your treatment.
How long does it take?
The scan itself takes seconds. With positioning, you’re usually done in a few minutes.
Do I need to prepare?
No special preparation. You’ll remove glasses, earrings, hairpins, removable dentures and other metal from your head and neck before the scan.
Is it the same as a hospital CT scan?
Both make 3D images. A CBCT scanner is smaller and open, you stand or sit instead of lying in a tunnel, and it is designed for the teeth and jaws.
What if I’m pregnant?
Tell us before your scan if you are or might be pregnant, and we’ll discuss whether the scan can wait.
Will I see my scan?
Yes. Your surgeon goes through the 3D images with you and explains how they shape your treatment plan.
Is the scan covered by insurance?
Coverage for CBCT imaging varies from plan to plan. We can send a pre-determination to your insurer and give you a written estimate first. See Fees & insurance for details, including the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Next step
Questions about your scan?
Our team is happy to explain what to expect. No referral needed for a consultation.
